Twisted Knee Injury: Comprehensive Care and Recovery

What Is a Twisted Knee Injury?

A twisted knee injury is also known as a knee sprain. A knee sprain occurs due to the overstretching of muscles and ligaments. It is a painful condition that causes difficulty in walking, running, sitting, and standing. It is a type of injury that can occur when the knee is rotated or bent unnaturally. This can happen during a fall, a car accident, or any other type of trauma. Symptoms of a twisted knee include pain, swelling, and bruising. Four different ligaments are responsible for knee stabilization and movement. Twisted knee injury occurs due to sprain in these ligaments. If the knee is twisted severely, it may also feel like it is ‘giving out.’ A ligament or muscle sprain mainly causes a twisted knee injury. The twisted knee injuries are named after the involved ligaments. Treatment of twisted or sprained knee injuries includes conservative treatment and surgical treatment.

Which Ligaments Are Responsible for Twisted Knee Injuries?

There are four different types of ligaments present in the knee, which help to stabilize and move.

• The anterior cruciate ligament.

• Posterior cruciate ligament.

• Lateral collateral ligament.

• Medial collateral ligament.

The anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament provide stabilization to the knees toward forces. Both these ligaments cross each other and form an x shape around the knee.

The lateral collateral ligament provides stability on the sides of the knee, and it runs on the outer side of the knees.

The medial collateral ligament runs on the inner side and helps in side-to-side movement.

What Are the Different Types of Twisted Knee Injuries?

Twisted knee injuries are named after the involved ligaments. Different types of twisted knee injuries are listed below -

• Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury ( ACL) - This is the most common type of knee injury that occurs when the anterior cruciate ligament is torn. It develops symptoms like pain, swelling, and instability. People feel that their knees are not stable.

• Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury (PCL) - This common type of knee injury occurs when the posterior cruciate ligament is torn or overstretched. Symptoms include knee pain, swelling, and stiffness. It is hard to bend knees with this type of ligament injury.

• Lateral Collateral Ligament Injury (LCL) - This type of twisted knee injury occurs due to torn or overstretched lateral collateral ligaments.

• Medial Collateral Ligament Injury (MCL) -This type of twisted knee injury occurs when the knee gets traumatized from the sides.

• Meniscus Injury - This type of knee injury occurs when the meniscus, a shock-absorbing cartilage pad, is damaged. Symptoms include knee pain, swelling, and clicking or popping sensations.

What Causes Twisted Knee Injuries?

Activities like running and jumping apply many knee forces, resulting in twisted knee injuries. Different ligament injuries occur due to different reasons and activities. Some causes of twisted knee injuries are listed below:

• The anterior cruciate ligament is injured during sports like football, rugby, hockey, and volleyball because these sports involve continuous running and jumping. Chances of sudden twisting of ligaments are common while playing these sports.

• The posterior cruciate ligament is injured due to falling directly on the knees, collisions with hard surfaces, or accidents.

• Lateral collateral ligament injury is uncommon due to protective surroundings, but a direct hit on the inner side of the knee can result in an LCL sprain.

• Medial collateral ligament injury occurs when the knee gets injured from the sides. Sudden side twisting of the legs can also cause MCL sprains.

What Are the Symptoms of Twisted Knee Injuries?

Symptoms of twisted knee injuries are listed below:

• Swelling around the knees.

• Weakness in the muscles.

• Bruising around the knees.

• Tender on palpation.

• Pain on bending knees, walking, running, or standing.

• A popping sensation in the knees.

• Muscle stiffness.

• Muscle spasms .

How to Diagnose a Twisted Knee Injury?

• The doctor will ask about the symptoms and medical history to diagnose a twisted knee injury.

• Then, the doctor will do a physical examination of the knee. This may include testing the range of motion and checking for swelling.

• The doctor may also ask for imaging tests, such as an X-ray or MRI, to further evaluate the knee injury.

What Treatments Are Available for Twisted Knee Injuries?

• Treatment of twisted or sprained knee injuries depends upon the severity and the type of injury. For minor injuries, the sprained knee can be treated quickly with a RICE regime (rest, ice, compression, elevation) and over-the-counter pain medications. It means giving rest to the affected muscle ligament or tendon to heal the injured knee, along with applying an ice pack for at least 15 minutes thrice a day, followed by elevating the knee to reduce inflammation or swelling.

• More severe treatment may require physical therapy, immobilization, or surgery. Most minor knee injuries will heal within a few weeks with home treatment. Severe knee sprain recovery can take several months to heal. Surgery is usually only necessary for the most severe injuries.

How to Prevent Twisted Knee Injuries?

The following tips help prevent twisted knee injuries:

• Maintaining strong and healthy muscles in the thigh and calves.

• Regular participation in activities that strengthen the muscles, such as swimming, cycling, and weightlifting.

• Wearing supporter shoes while participating in sports.

• Wearing proper protective gear.

• Using proper training and techniques while performing in sports.

• Avoid high-impact activities in case of weak or unstable knees.

When to Consult a Doctor for Twisted Knee Injuries?

If anyone is having any pain, swelling, or bruising around their knees, it is important to see a doctor. Even if the injury does not seem serious, it is always best to get it checked out to make sure there is no underlying damage. In case of not being able to bear any weight on the legs or feeling knee instability, it is important to see a doctor immediately. They can diagnose the injury and recommend the best course of treatment.

Conclusion

A twisted knee injury can be a very serious injury. If anyone has a twisted knee injury, it is important to see a doctor immediately. With proper treatment, most people recover from a twisted knee injury without any long-term problems. A twisted knee injury can occur when the knee is bent too far in one direction, resulting in the tearing of ligaments and cartilage. Symptoms of a twisted knee include pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the knee. A twisted knee can lead to long-term joint damage and disability if not treated properly.